Former Gap Designer Leaves Armani Exchange

PATRICK ROBINSON, formerly creative director of Gap, has left his role at the helm of A|X Armani Exchange. The brand confirmed that the American designer had departed the label, a role that he assumed in March 2013, but firmly denied that his exit was in any way linked to rumours of design plagiarism.

The New York Post reported that a torc bracelet - which Robinson created for the men's collection made from recycled bullets and handguns, with proceeds going to nonprofit Liberty United to fight gun violence - bore a resemblance to a style by David Yurman, resulting in a legal letter from the jeweller, but the brand's spokesperson flatly denied this.

"Patrick Robinson left the brand amicably several weeks ago," a representative told Page Six. "His departure and this alleged claim of Yurman sending us a cease-and-desist letter are entirely unrelated."